Electrical malfunction detection system
First Claim
1. A detection system comprising:
- a) a power source supplying electricity to a device;
b) a first resistor in series between said source and said device, said first resistor being connected to said source at a first junction and being connected to said device at a second junction;
c) voltage divider means connected across said first resistor;
d) comparator means, connected to said voltage divider means, for continuously comparing the current flow through said first resistor to a preselected range of current flows, said comparator means comprisinga first comparator having one input connected via said voltage divider means to said first junction and having another input connected via said voltage divider means to said second junction and wherein said first comparator generates a first output signal indicative of whether the current flow through said first resistor is below the minimum of said range, anda second comparator having one input connected via said voltage divider means to said first junction and having another input connected via said voltage divider means to said second junction and wherein said second comparator generates a second output signal indicative of whether the current flow through said first resistor is above the maximum of said range; and
e) means for indicating when the current flow through said first resistor is outside said preselected range of current flow values.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A protection system has a power supply connected to lamps by a low value resistor. The resistor is part of a voltage divider system which provides input signals to a number of comparators. These comparators provide appropriate signals to a microprocessor to indicate normal operation. When a malfunction is detected, the voltage drop across the low value resistor changes and alters the output of the comparators. The microprocessor thereafter produces an appropriate warning signal. In a vehicle turn signal circuit, the present invention is incorporated to detect a burned out bulb. A warning is provided to the vehicle operator when a bulb is out. Further, pursuant to federal safety regulations, the remaining functioning bulbs, when activated, flash at a substantially slower rate.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A detection system comprising:
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a) a power source supplying electricity to a device; b) a first resistor in series between said source and said device, said first resistor being connected to said source at a first junction and being connected to said device at a second junction; c) voltage divider means connected across said first resistor; d) comparator means, connected to said voltage divider means, for continuously comparing the current flow through said first resistor to a preselected range of current flows, said comparator means comprising a first comparator having one input connected via said voltage divider means to said first junction and having another input connected via said voltage divider means to said second junction and wherein said first comparator generates a first output signal indicative of whether the current flow through said first resistor is below the minimum of said range, and a second comparator having one input connected via said voltage divider means to said first junction and having another input connected via said voltage divider means to said second junction and wherein said second comparator generates a second output signal indicative of whether the current flow through said first resistor is above the maximum of said range; and e) means for indicating when the current flow through said first resistor is outside said preselected range of current flow values. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A detection system for a vehicle having turn signals using light bulbs, said system comprising:
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a) a light bulb connected to a source of electricity; b) means for generating a voltage drop, in series between said bulb and said source, said generating means being connected to said source at a first junction and being connected to said bulb at a second junction; c) means for measuring the voltage drop; d) means connected to said voltage drop measuring means for comparing the voltage drop to a preselected range of voltage drop values, said comparing means comprising a first comparator having one input connected to said first junction and having another input connected to said second junction and wherein said first comparator generates a first output signal indicative of whether the voltage drop across said generating means is below the minimum of said range, and a second comparator having one input connected to said first junction and another input connected to said second junction and wherein said second comparator generates a second output signal indicative of whether the voltage drop across said generating means is above the maximum of said range; and e) means connected to said comparing means for indicating when the measured voltage drop is outside said preselected range. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification